The Gunners confirmed that they had agreed a deal to sign the German striker from FC Cologne last week.

Discussing the 26-year-old's impending arrival, Mertesacker has admitted that he cannot wait to play alongside the centre-forward at the Emirates Stadium.

"He is very confident. When he feels he has to be there for the team and when we needed a goal he was always there," he told the club's official website. "He was always one of the best players on the pitch and nothing could take him down. He is so confident and that is what I like.

"He is a fantastic striker. Everywhere he has played he has scored a lot of goals. He is very good on the left when he has the ball in front of him, that is a big quality and very good for us.

"I think he has good physical power and that is what is needed in the Premier League. He is very quick too. It is a challenge for him but he can cope with it."